Crime against women, children on the rise at Tarkwa - Police

Tarkwa, Jan. 12, GNA - Offences such as defilement, rape, abduction of women and children continue to increase in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, Police Chief Superintendent Kwadwo Antwi-Tabi at Tarkwa said on Wednesday. He said such offences were increasing partly because of increasing activities of galamsey operators in the area. According to him, defilement cases alone rose from 86 in 2009 to 106, rape increased from 10 to 21 within the same period and attempted rape increased from two to four in 2010.

Police Chief Superintendent Antwi-Tabi, who told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), in an interview at Tarkwa, said unlawful entry also increased from six to 50, while many galamsey operators were willing to cause damage and pay for whatever they destroyed later because they have the means. Commander Antwi-Tabi, who is incharge of the Tarkwa Division of the Ghana Police Service, said in 2009, no case of causing damage was reported, but 207 were reported in 2010 while abortion, which was also not reported i= n 2009, recorded 19 cases last year. He explained, however, that defrauding by false pretences, possessing o= f narcotics drugs, threat and assault reduced during the period under review. Commander Antwi-Tabi said in all 6,637 criminal cases were recorded in 2009 as compared to 5,691 cases in 2010. He noted with concern that drug related cases were not reported to the Police, which made it difficult to arrest and prosecute individuals engaged in drugs peddling and distribution.

Commander Antwi-Tabi said the Division had instituted an award for informants, who provided accurate information that would lead to the arrest of individuals engaged in drugs and other crimes. He urged residents within the Municipality to freely report to the Police without fear. He said the Police would continue with its highway patrols, conduct sna= p checks and make itself visible in communities to reduce crime in the Municipality.